The Armenian Revolutionary Federation Dashnaktsutyun is internationally recognized as a major political force both in Armenia, Karabakh and in the Armenian communities worldwide.

Founded in 1890 and a member of the Socialist International, its programme is based on social justice, democracy and national self‐determination for the Armenian people.

The ARF - Dashnaktsutyun led the effort toward the establishment of the first Armenian Republic in 1918 and was the party in power for the duration of its existence. Following the Sovietization of Armenia in 1920, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun was banned by the Communists and its leadership exiled.

In the Diaspora, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun fought Soviet rule over Armenia and championed the cause of Armenian rights and independence; it played a leading role in organizing a social and cultural framework aimed at preserving the Armenian identity.

The ARF-Dashnaktsutyun officially re-emerged in Armenia during the dissolution of the USSR, in 1990. In Mountainous Karabakh (Nagorno Karabakh), the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun was the political party in power during the initial years of the establishment of the Republic of Mountainous Karabakh (MKR). Presently, the ARF-Dashnaktsutyun is the major opposition party represented both in the parliaments of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Mountainous Karabakh.